Has anyone ever been to Africa?

By | November 28, 2015

Has anyone ever been to Africa?

Has anyone ever been to Africa?
I really want to go there, but I hate hearing negatives about it, I am sure there are some good things about it, like I am sure it is a beautiful place. Has anyone ever been there (west Africa to be more specific, but Africa in general is cool as well)? If so can you tell me all about it?
Africa is a huge continent and extremely varied, sure it has a few problem areas but by and large it is peaceful and exciting.
The first thing you notice is the difference in time, Africa time moves slower, people still have time for each other, courtesy and politeness are extremely important. You have to forget your impressions seen through the media, our western perspective of wealth and poverty bear little relevance, take the housing for example, firstly we in the west use our houses for very different reasons, to us they not only offer shelter but are a haven, to most Africans houses are for sleeping, most other activities are conducted outdoors and in a social context, this includes cooking, bathing and life in general. The materials used for housing also reflect what is available (again in village settings), certainly the modern world is impacting but most village houses will be made of materials that are readily available in the locality, most often of natural renewable sources, this may look odd to us but is in fact extremely sensible, grass is used for roofs, mud for bricks, dried easily in the hot sun.
The other thing that hits you instantly are the colours, they are everywhere, bright and vibrant.
Music plays and important place in African culture, not only traditional music but pop, you’ll here music everywhere, be it from radios, being sung, or from shops and bars. Dancing to this is not seen as something you do, it is part of it and people will spontaneously dance if the mood takes them.
The culture is based by and large on respect, raising your voice is frowned upon, and seen as a weakness, whatever happens you keep calm and discuss, often by doing so you can resolve everything, and again often it involves laughing at the situation.
Of course Africa can be harsh, it has life and death in the raw, things we take for granted are often not available but most Africans have a matter of fact attitude to this, what happens happens.
The landscapes can be breath taking, from mountains, to desserts, tropical rainforests, huge open grass lands and they seem to go on forever.
All African countries are different, all have beauty and all are worth seeing.
Africa is like a drug, they say once you have been you will return and certainly I can attest to this, I now live there.
While on a visit to any African country as a tourist you will of course see the sights but don’t limit yourself to the tourist areas go into the villages and talk to the people, you will be welcomed and be surprised at the generosity and sincerity of the people, of course you will be the centre of attention but this is just curiosity.
Another thing visiting Africa gives you is perspective, you’ll see that it is often hard done by media wise where often the negatives only are shown, the positives by far out way these.
Africa is still a place where you are responsible for your actions, there is no nanny state, no signs telling you not to do things which you should know better. The Victoria falls for example is largely unfenced, if you wish to stand on the edge go ahead, your choice, but don’t moan at anyone but your self if you go over, same applies with everything.
Finally things often unexpectedly and you will hear T.I.A being said, T.I.A means THIS IS AFRICA which means anything can happen and often does.

I really hope you get the chance to experience it, it is a life changing experience if you take time to see it properly and not just from a tourist bus